Cafe minamisan

Cafe Minamisan is a Japanese-influenced cafe on Pacific Highway at the Asquith end of Hornsby, and it handles dogs better than most of the suburb: rather than a strip of footpath tables, there is a relaxed courtyard out the back where a dog can actually settle beside the table.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the rear courtyard seating. Water bowls are usually on hand, and regulars treat it as the local dog-and-brunch spot rather than a quick takeaway perch. Arrive early on weekends if you want a table out back, because the courtyard is small and the kitchen has a following. Keep your dog leashed and settled; there is no roaming room.

Worth knowing

The menu is the reason people cross the suburb: katsu curry, chicken katsu sandwiches, poke bowls, Korean street toast and matcha waffles, with cheesecake and iced matcha at the sweet end. It runs from 6:30am on weekdays and 7am on weekends, closing mid afternoon. Coffee and matcha service are both competent, which is an unusual combination this far north of the CBD.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits on Pacific Highway within walking distance of Asquith station, which is the stress-free way to arrive. Street parking is available along Pacific Highway and the side streets, though the highway frontage gets busy at peak hour.

Close by with the dogs

Asquith Park Fenced Dog Park is close enough for an off-lead session before brunch, and The Corner 5 Cafe or Savvy Coffee are the same-suburb fallbacks when the courtyard is full.

More options are on the NSW dog friendly cafes guide and the Asquith destination page.

Pepsi: a courtyard table means no footpath traffic to dodge while you eat. Ask for the water bowl when you order, not after.